"John Gabriel" is an executive in the National Basketball Association. In 2008, he became the director of scouting for the New York Knicks. He was previously a scout and administrator for the Portland Trail Blazers, and he is best known for his stint as general manager with the Orlando Magic. During that time (1999—2003), he won the NBA's NBA Executive of the Year Award/Executive of the Year award, only to be dismissed in the beginning of the 2003 season.

Gabriel won the 1999 NBA Executive of the Year Award after dismantling the previous year's team and trading players for future NBA draft/draft picks. With Darrell Armstrong leading the team, the Magic compiled a respectable 41-41 win-loss record and barely missed the NBA playoffs/playoffs. Gabriel won the award because the team was composed of virtually non-notable players, and most experts had predicted the team to falter. In addition, Gabriel hired Doc Rivers as head coach of the Magic at the beginning of that season. Seen as a risky move by most experts, Rivers guided the team well and won Coach of the Year honors.

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He's as close as they get physically, and does a great job, ... He just has to learn to put it together on a consistent basis.

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With Grant Hill , our doctors gave him full clearance, ... We had every reason to believe he would play ... You just never know what can happen with these types of things.

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[But, still, he's a pretty big name to be waiting by the phone at this late juncture, isn't he?] He started for an NBA championship team last year, ... For him to still be out there, I would say that's pretty unusual, yeah.

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It's really a cash and [salary] cap problem, ... You not only lose the player, and still have to pay him, but his salary still counts against the cap. That affects what you can do going forward in terms of putting together the rest of the roster.

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For me personally, it was kind of nice to see that.

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He's as knowledgeable about the game as any coach I've ever worked with, ... He'll do a great job in Boston, because he has the ability to adapt [to his personnel].

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[Gabriel points out that Jackson also appears to be a victim of the new NBA economics. With so many teams at or near the expected luxury tax threshold, there just isn't the same demand for players seeking mid-level money.] A lot of players think they can get it, ... But they find out the market just isn't there.

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Our goal all along has been to give Grant the best chance to get healthy. At this time, and in consultation with the medical experts, we are in agreement that the risk of him returning this season to game action could be detrimental in regard to achieving the overall goal.

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[Walsh and other longtime executives say they don't necessarily blame players for requesting a trade. They just wish they would come to them first, rather than go to the media.] It really is better for both parties if it's done privately, ... Usually it can be a win-win process if it's done that way.

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